Noah Schroeder, 5, waves goodbye to his mother, Lorena, on his first day of kindergarten at Valencia Elementary School in Laguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teacher Patty Reddick deals with a case of the first-day-of-school jitters as she encourages the child to come inside and join the rest of his kindergarten class. They were at Valencia Elementary in Laguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Valencia Elementary School Principal Carolyn Fries gives a welcome-back hug to C.J. Arnett, 7, who is starting first grade in Laguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children greet the Valencia Elementary School mascot during the first day of school in Laguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A colorful mural of the United States brightens the first day of school at Valencia Elementary in Laguna Hills on
Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Valencia Elementary School Principal Carolyn Fries chats with Lilly Arnett, 5, on the first day of school in Laguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. Lilly is starting kindergarten. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Five-year-old Lexi Mercer gets a goodbye hug and a kiss from her mom, Greta Barbone, on the first day of kindergarten at Valencia Elementary School inLaguna Hills on Monday, August 14, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Some of Orange County’s largest school districts called their students back for learning on Monday, including Saddleback Valley, with even more campuses set to fill with eager pupils by the end of the week.
More than a dozen districts are celebrating the first day of school this week, with parents taking extra time in the morning to make sure the start of the academic year was special with hugs and pictures as their students headed off to their new classrooms.
Schools also got into the spirit with balloons and signs and teachers out front welcoming their new learners.
